It’s a gem ... a ‘Little Gem’ at the Players’ Ring

Thursday

Nov 22, 2012 at 3:15 AM

PORTSMOUTH — Open your heart for the holidays with Generic Theater’s production of Little Gem, a bittersweet comedy set in contemporary Dublin, Ireland, playing for two weeks only, Nov. 30-Dec. 9, at The Players’ Ring, 105 Marcy St.

Spicy language marks the interconnected monologues of Little Gem over a year in the lives of grandmother, mother, and daughter. Granddaughter Amber (Ally Foy of East Kingston NH) must find her footing — more quickly than she likes — as events whirl her from a freewheeling teen to a courageous adult. Her mother, Lorraine (Laurie Torosian of Atkinson), has trouble adjusting to happiness after many years of putting herself last. Kay, Lorraine’s mother (Peggi McCarthy of Exeter), must deal with her offsprings’ life changes while letting go of Gem, the love of her life. The three generations face all these changes together, with pragmatism, humor, exasperation, and love. Helen Brock of Dover directs Little Gem.

Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, closing with a 2 p.m. matinee Sunday, Dec. 9. Tickets cost $12-15 (seniors, students, and Players’ Ring members receive discounts). Reserve by calling 603-436-8123 or visiting www@playersring.org. See the website also for additional offers. This first play by Elaine Murphy won the Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award at the 2009 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

***

There is still time to enjoy current offering by The Players’ Ring, Stop Kiss.

The story is deceptively simple: two young women in New York meet, talk about their boyfriends, feel a growing, unspoken attraction for each other, and finally kiss. And that one innocent kiss sets off a savage gay bashing. But even as Stop Kiss confronts the reality of physical violence, Diana Son’s imaginative, moving, and surprising comedy brings audiences — and her principal characters — to unexpected places.

Callie is holding down a job as a radio traffic reporter when she meets Sara, a Midwesterner who, against her parents’ wishes, has moved to the city to teach third-grade students in the Bronx. As they get to know each other, their shared experiences and sense of humor create a strong bond. The tragic consequences of their kiss — the center of this powerful drama — serve as both an indictment of hatred and a moving study of the perils inherent in living life fully.